Having practiced the art of moral theology for half a century, Curran has acquired encyclopedic knowledge, a sure touch, and balanced judgment. He is a consummate surveyor of cultural and ecclesial trends, trajectories, and politics. Of unparalleled scope and balance, Catholic Moral Theology in the United States is an invaluable guide for scholar and student alike, showing us why moral theology matters beyond academia. -- Lisa Sowle Cahill, J. Donald Monan Professor of Theology, Boston College The most ambitious chronicle we have of the development of moral theology in the United States. [Curran] shows that many of the questions we are asking today uncover the tensions within earlier views. This book is a must read for every graduate student of moral theology. This book brings one up to speed on who has shaped this discipline, what have been its major concerns, and why we are facing the issues we do today. -- Richard M. Gula, SS, Franciscan School of Theology/Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA An informative narrative of the development of the discipline here in the United States. Once again, Curran adds a valuable volume to the already long list of contributions he has made to Catholic theology. -- Kenneth R. Himes, OFM, chair, Theology Department, Boston College

In this magisterial volume, Charles E. Curran surveys the historical development of Catholic moral theology in the United States from its 19th century roots to the present day. He begins by tracing the development of pre-Vatican II moral theology that, with the exception of social ethics, had the limited purpose of training future confessors to know what actions are sinful and the degree of sinfulness. Curran then explores and illuminates the post-Vatican II era with chapters on the effect of the Council on the scope and substance of moral theology, the impact of Humanae vitae, Pope Paul VI's encyclical condemning artificial contraception, fundamental moral theology, sexuality and marriage, bioethics, and social ethics.Curran's perspective is unique: For nearly 50 years, he has been a major influence on the development of the field and has witnessed first-hand the dramatic increase in the number and diversity of moral theologians in the academy and the Church. No one is more qualified to write this first and only comprehensive history of Catholic moral theology in the United States.